Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla) would make the ideal running mate for presidential candidate Mitt Romney.
To win the presidential race, Romney needs to excite and motivate his Republican voter base, while simultaneously persuading independents of his policies. Romney is already viewed by the public as a moderate republican who is perhaps too fiscally conservative for liberals, but too socially liberal for conservatives. While this may appeal to moderates and independents, it does not create enthusiasm from his republican voter base. In order to overcome this weakness, Romney needs his running mate to act as a rallying factor.
Rubio could be this rallying factor. He has already proven his potential to appeal to staunch conservatives. He has the support and approval of Tea Party activists behind him, as well as the G.O.P establishment.
In fact, he has many characteristics that contrast with Romney’s political weaknesses.
While Romney has been criticized for being a privileged white guy, Rubio’s diversity as a son of hard-working Cuban immigrants has been celebrated. He appeals to the Hispanic voter base, and could rally them behind Romney. Also, Rubio is Catholic, which appeals more to the conservative base than Romney’s Mormonism. In addition, Rubio’s charm is undeniable. This becomes especially apparent in his speeches, where he uses charisma to secure the audience’s trust and support. While Romney could fail to motivate conservatives to spend time in polls, Rubio would be able to use this charm to motivate conservatives to vote.
Romney would do well to pick Rubio, and not a former opposing primary candidate, as his running mate.
This primary campaign has been extremely heated; choosing a former opponent would allow the press to exploit the differences and tensions in the candidates. In contrast, Rubio has already come out in full support of Romney. After endorsing Romney, he called on the remaining Republican primary candidates to support Romney as well. Rubio’s wish to unite the party can be cited in the press as a strength.
Like all potential VP candidates, Rubio is not without some downsides. he is largely new and inexperienced in Washington and has said that he is not interested in potentially running in this election. However, one only needs to look at Obama to realize that long-term political experience is not necessarily required. Also, if Romney calls on Rubio to be his running mate for the good of the party, Rubio may change his mind and not be opposed to running.
Rubio said at CPAC 2012 that “being American has changed the world and made it better”. His patriotism and appeal to conservatives makes him Romney’s ideal choice for a running mate.
